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We've all known each other for years so approachability definitely isn't an issue :LOL:. Thank you!

This is interesting to me, because it's such a large amount you're allowed to keep. Sounds like you're talking about cold hard cash being gifted here? Or is it the market value of non-cash gifts (e.g., baseball tickets) that adds toward the $500?

Great advice, Jeff, thanks for sharing. I wholeheartedly agree with your people-first approach. In Corps LA District we're all still teleworking 80% of the time and there's really not much in-office culture/socializing. Ever since this all started during the pandemic I've felt it's important to...

Since the fee covers installation and inspection, and the solar project was never completed/inspected, it seems like you should be able to grant a refund (or at least a partial refund). What ended up happening with this one?

I'm about to start a temporary stint as supervisor next week. This will be my first time moving from a senior staff-level role to actually overseeing people. Anyone have tips related to managing permitting staff (or being managed) that they can share?

Great to have you on Permitting Talk! Absolutely - information-sharing among permitting professionals is what this forum is for. Don't hesitate to post with any questions or interesting thoughts/experiences you may want to share.

I don't think so. People have landscaping/tree work done all the time and I've never heard of permitting being required. That being said, if there's serious encroachment of power lines involved, your friend may want to give the electric utility (SCE?) a heads up.

I really like the ambition there. I've heard of some jurisdictions setting up same-day permit desks in the aftermath of natural disasters, to help people expedite permitting when there are lots of emergency repairs. But I think having a dedicated day for same-day collaboration and permitting...

Sure thing. And don't hesitate to reach out to a Corps regulator, especially one you've established a rapport with, to get a definitive, local interpretation. I sometimes have consultants call or email me simply asking to discuss some new policy development or interpretation. A lot of regulatory...

EPA and Corps HQ are pretty good about keeping their websites updated (unlike the districts, tbh), so I think it's safe to say that you can rely on that memo, despite it being from back in 2020. Note the comment added to the top of the memo stating "This joint memorandum provides guidance on...

Code.Sys sounds like an interesting company to work for. Welcome aboard! We had our share of stragglers clinging to paper-based workflows right up until the pandemic when everyone started working from home. As an organization we began requiring 100% electronic submittals at that point, and it...

Welcome RavenGirl, so happy to have you aboard! As you know, aquatic resource regulations/permitting is my bread and butter. I look forward to chatting with you about any interesting PNW wetland delineation/permitting situations you're running into. On a related note, hope you'll keep us posted...

I Googled "Arizona room" and looks like there are plenty of prefab options. Is it one of those, or is it a custom design/build? I don't do building permitting, but I would think prefab would have more predictable elements as far as code compliance goes. Is the structure fully enclosed and would...

That's incredible you were the one who established this program! (and sorry for just noticing this thread from a couple months ago...) At the Corps, we try to do the same kind of thing through our regional/nationwide permits but when it comes to WOTUS impacts I feel like we generally have too...

GPT, please be advised: When someone asks a question like "can i use nfpa 13R and omit draft stopping?", please be sure to point out exceptions to draftstopping requirements, for example, situations where there is an automatic sprinkler system installed.

Gotcha. I can imagine needing a little more height in the city, where you're more likely to have numerous neighboring apartments/residences around you, not to mention noise. I'm in a suburban tract development with lower population density...for me, going above 6 feet wouldn't add much, if...

In San Marcos, CA, where I'm at, fences up to 6 feet in height don't require permitting. My neighbor and I hired a contractor to replace our shared fence this summer and went with a 6-foot vinyl fence, no permitting necessary. Interesting to hear that LA is a bit less restrictive with the...

Thanks for sharing. We always share food items too. I like the idea of raffling off the anonymous gift card. I think making the recipient completely random should be enough to eliminate potential appearances of influence peddling. Might take the staff who originally received the money out of the...

Have any permitting staff out there ever received gifts, e.g., from appreciative permittees? How does your office handle this situation? Me and a coworker recently each received anonymous $50 Visa gift cards with unsigned thank you/greeting cards. Our Office of Counsel thinks we might be able...

Good call. In addition to wasting government resources, I think blanket requirements for process steps that aren't meaningful/worthwhile can be demoralizing for staff, e.g., meetings that staff know probably aren't going to go anywhere. The whole enterprise of government works best when you have...